Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Crazy Taxi 3: High Roller retains the breakneck pace and arcade-style driving that defined its Dreamcast predecessors. Players hop behind the wheel of one of four fresh-faced drivers—each boasting unique vehicle stats—and set out across Glitter Oasis, a neon-drenched playground modeled after Las Vegas. The core objective remains simple yet addictive: pick up eager passengers, navigate the city’s sprawling streets, and deliver them to their destinations before the meter runs out.

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Beyond the main city course, Crazy Taxi 3 also revisits the fan-favorite maps from the first two games. West Coast and Small Apple make their triumphant return, complete with the original roster of drivers and landmarks. This inclusion doubles the playtime and offers a nostalgic trip down memory lane, letting long-time fans compare the new high-roller environment to the classic West Coast shuffle and Big Apple hustle.

For those craving something different, the Crazy X mode provides a collection of minigames that challenge precision, timing, and speed in bite-sized bursts. From tight-parking challenges to stunt showcases, Crazy X helps break up the driving frenzy with quick scenarios that test your skills in fresh ways. It’s an ideal palate cleanser for when you need a break from the open-road mayhem but still want your adrenaline fix.

Graphics

Graphically, Crazy Taxi 3 pushes the boundaries of its era with vibrant color palettes and crisp textures that bring Glitter Oasis to life. The cityscape glitters under neon lights, and reflective pavement and dynamic shadows heighten the sense of immersion as you weave through casino-lined boulevards. The game’s draw distance is impressively long for its time, letting you spot far-off landmarks and plot your next high-speed shortcut.

Vehicle models and environmental assets showcase solid polygon counts and detailed texturing, though occasional pop-in can occur during high-speed chases. Pedestrians and rival drivers are rendered with cartoonish flair, fitting the series’ over-the-top tone. While lip-sync and facial animation remain rudimentary, the emphasis is squarely on delivering smooth, fluid motion as you drift around corners and boost through traffic.

Special effects like skid marks, dust clouds, and dynamic sparks add to the sensory overload, reinforcing the arcade-action feel rather than aiming for hyper-realism. Lighting on casino signs and billboards flickers dynamically, bathing surrounding streets in vivid hues. All told, Crazy Taxi 3’s visuals strike a balanced chord between nostalgic stylization and technical polish that still holds up for an early-2000s release.

Story

True to series tradition, Crazy Taxi 3 keeps narrative elements to a minimum, opting instead for open-ended gameplay where your performance writes the story. The loose premise revolves around cash-hungry taxi drivers competing for top fares in the glitzy, high-stakes environment of Glitter Oasis. Custom nicknames and outlandish character bios pepper the loading screens, providing just enough backstory to fuel your competitive spirit.

Each driver’s personality shines through in quips and vocal reactions, from overconfident one-liners as you nail precision turns to exasperated yells when you scrape a wall at full speed. Although there’s no overarching plot, these bite-sized interactions lend character to the proceedings and keep the tone light-hearted. Players often find themselves rooting for underdog drivers or adopting a new favorite purely based on voice lines and vehicle handling.

The lack of a deep narrative may deter gamers seeking a story-driven experience, but it perfectly aligns with the series’ pick-up-and-play philosophy. Crazy Taxi 3’s emphasis on short, adrenaline-fueled runs trades cutscenes and plot twists for instant gratification and high replay value. In this context, the “story” emerges organically from your own feats of driving prowess and crazy near-misses.

Overall Experience

Crazy Taxi 3: High Roller delivers everything fans loved about the franchise while adding fresh content to keep the formula feeling new. Glitter Oasis stands out as a memorable backdrop, brimming with shortcuts, ramps, and daring stunts waiting to be discovered. The inclusion of legacy maps and Crazy X mode ensures both nostalgia and variety, making it a well-rounded package for both series veterans and newcomers alike.

While it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, Crazy Taxi 3 refines the series’ core strengths: arcade accessibility, punchy soundtrack, and exhilarating momentum. The minor graphical hiccups and sparse narrative won’t overshadow the sheer fun of racing against the clock, executing jaw-dropping drifts, and hearing triumphant customer praises upon successful deliveries. It’s pure, unadulterated arcade bliss from start to finish.

For anyone seeking a high-octane diversion loaded with personality and replay incentive, Crazy Taxi 3: High Roller remains a standout choice. Its easy-to-learn controls and instantly rewarding gameplay loops make it ideal for quick drop-in sessions or marathon playthroughs. Whether you’re chasing leaderboards or just looking for a vibrant driving experience, this installment rides high on entertainment value from the first fare to the last.

Retro Replay Score

6.5/10